Elf on the Shelf, meet Snoop on the Stoop, hip-hop Christmas doll not endorsed by Snoop Dogg

Elf on the Shelf, make room for Snoop on the Stoop.

The popular holiday toy, based on the 2005 book "Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition" by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, explains how Santa Claus knows who is naughty and who is nice. The elf in itself has become a staple during the holiday season, as well as a pop culture reference, from memes to a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to inspiring a skit on "Saturday Night Live" with "Aquaman" actor Jason Mamoa.

Snoop on the Stoop, on the other hand, isn't on a mission to help Santa Claus find out who's naughty and nice. The doll based on legendary rapper and pop culture icon Snoop Dogg is a hip-hop Christmas twist to Elf on the Shelf. Here's what we know.

What is Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf, a pixie elf from the North Pole, gained fame from a 2005 picture book written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter, Chanda Bell, with illustrations by Coe Steinwart. It's holiday tradition to place the Elf on the Shelf throughout the house, at your workplace or random spots, and then move it around. The elf essentially is a helpful spy for jolly old St. Nick.

One popular search topic this time of year is "Elf on the Shelf ideas," with scenes for "naughty or nice" elves. See the photo gallery above for ideas, including DIY "elf snow angels," "elf lemonade" and "elf pooping" scenes.

What is Snoop on the Stoop?

Snoop on the Stoop is a hip-hop twist to Elf on the Shelf, available online at Walmart, Amazon and a few shopping sites that creatively use Snoop Dogg in its name (snoopermarket, snoopondasnoop). Some Snoop on the Stoop dolls typically have a hat, gold chain, braids and a holiday Santa Claus-like suit.

Though Snoop on the Stoop has a legion of fans on social media sites, Snoop Dogg the rapper has denounced the doll. In 2021, the rapper tweeted: "I have no connection to the SNOOP ON A STOOP product and will be taking legal action against those making it and whoever is selling it."

Who is Snoop Dogg?

Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, reached international fame in the early '90s with features on Dr. Dre's album, "The Chronic." Dogg then released his own debut album, "Doggstyle," in 1993. The album went on to sell 4 million copies in the U.S. and spawned the No. 1 rap hit "Gin and Juice." Since then, the rapper has carved out a multifaceted career that spans music, film and television.

What are some Snoop on the Stoop ideas?

Like Elf on the Shelf (commonly referred to as Elf on a Shelf), Snoop on the Stoop (or Snoop on a Stoop or Snoop on da Stoop) can be placed around the house, on Christmas trees and hidden among holiday decorations. Both dolls are small and lightweight as well as travel-friendly. Below are some tweets about Snoop on the Stoop ideas.

Are there other Elf on the Shelf parodies?

Since Snoop on the Stoop is inspired by Snoop Dogg, there are tweets and photos online of a doll inspired by Snoop's friend in real life, Martha Stewart, Food Network star and legendary lifestyle guru. There is a Martha Stewart elf doll, but it, too, was not endorsed or connected officially to its namesake.

Contributing: USA TODAY

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Elf on the Shelf ideas, Snoop on the Stoop dolls: Photos, what we know